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A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio

Stone-walled house in Taiwan provides residents with Pacific Ocean views

Taipei-based Creat+Think Design Studio used stone excavated from the site to build this house on a slope in Taiwan overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio

The architects dug out the hillside to create a stepped terrain for the house, located on the eastern seaboard of Taiwan facing the sea.

A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio

The three levels, described as like rice patty terraces, place the swimming pool at the bottom, the main residence in the middle and the driveway at the top.

A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio

Large stones excavated from the site form the retaining walls of the residence. It is named A'tolan House, meaning "a place with many rocks" in the local indigenous language.

A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio

The residence follows the contour of the coastline and bends at the western end to face towards the sea, with large expanses of glazing offering residents views of the ocean.

A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio

A set of large stone steps leads from the top level down five metres to a covered courtyard and dining area with a thick wall clad in local stones cutting into the space.

A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio

The kitchen is placed on the other side of the wall, with folding glass doors that allow air to flow freely throughout the residence. They also open fully onto a large terrace, intended for yoga and star-gazing.

A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio

Nestled in the bent end of the house, the master bedroom features an en-suite bathroom with a skylit shower. It opens to an outside deck with a small circular tub for bathing.

A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio

A staircase from the patios leads up to the roof, which features loungers for sunbathing and pots of herbs.

On the lowest level, the stone wall provides the backdrop for the south-facing infinity pool and large garden. A waterfall projects from the top of the wall and flows into the pool.

A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio

A'tolan House is among many residences designed to make the most of sea views, including a Greek island house that features a series of staggered parallel spaces and a Malibu home with a large terrace covered with a latticed wooden canopy.

Photography is by Kuomin Lee.


Project credits:

Designers: Arthur Ho and Creat+Think Design Studio team
Design Company: Creat+Think Design Studio

More images and plans

A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
Site plan
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
Floor plan
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
Section one
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
Section two
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
Section three
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio
A'tolan House by Create + Think Design Studio